At Knutsford Veterinary Surgery, we understand that behavioural issues can be a source of frustration and concern for pet owners. That’s why we offer Behavioural Clinics, which are designed to help you better understand your pet’s behaviour and provide you with recommendations for how to manage it.

Treatment for Behavioural Problems

Our Behavioural Clinics are an hour-long consultation with one of our experienced veterinary nurses. During the consultation, they will conduct a thorough assessment of your pet’s behaviour and provide you with recommendations for managing the problem. Our consultations cost £215 and include a report following the consultation.

Here are some of the ways we may treat your pet’s behavioural problems:

• Behavioural modification – this involves training your pet to change their behaviour. Our veterinary nurses will work with you to develop a training plan that is tailored to your pet’s specific needs.
• Environmental changes – making changes to your pet’s environment can help to manage their behavioural problems. This may include providing more exercise, creating a quiet space for your pet, or changing their diet.
• Referral to a specialist – in some cases, we may refer you to a specialist if your pet’s behavioural problems are severe or require specialist treatment or medication. If this is the case, you can have confidence that our veterinary nurses will find you the right specialist for your pet.

Common Canine and Feline Behavioural Problems

Negative pet behaviour can manifest in a variety of ways. Here are some of the most common behavioural problems we see in dogs and cats:

• Separation anxiety – separation anxiety occurs when a pet becomes anxious when their owner leaves them alone.
• Aggression – this can include aggression towards other animals or people, and may be caused by fear, territorial behaviour or dominance issues.
• Barking or meowing excessively – excessive barking or meowing can be due to boredom, anxiety or attention-seeking behaviour.
• Destructive behaviour – this can include chewing on furniture, digging holes in the garden or scratching the carpet.
• Inappropriate elimination – this can include urinating or defecating in inappropriate places, such as inside the house.